Aventon has finally released the new model of its famous cruiser electric bike: Soltera. With the release of Aventon Soltera.2, Aventon has raised the bar for other cruiser ebikes on the market.
In this Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 comparison, we’ll highlight the significant upgrades you get with the new cruiser ebike from Aventon.
While the Aventon Soltera.2 features a torque sensor, you get a cadence sensor in Soltera 1. Moreover, Soltera.2 offers rear lights with turn signals, a feature missing from the original Soltera ebike.
Before we begin the Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 comparison, let’s look at some of the best alternatives to these cruiser ebikes.
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Best Alternative to Aventon Soltera.2
Aventon Soltera 2 is a decent ebike but lacks UL certifications for battery and other electrical components. Consider the following ebikes if you need a safer alternative.
1. Velotric T1 ST
Velotric T1 ST does not compromise on safety as it features the UL-2271 recognized battery which can be easily verified on UL’s official database.
Key Features:
- UL-Certified Safe Battery
- Efficient Torque Sensor
- 25 mph Top Speed
- Weighs just 34 lbs
- Apple Find My Support
- 350W (600W Peak) Hub Motor
- 8-speed Shimano Drivetrain
- Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- 52 Miles of Max Range
- IPX6 Water Resistance
- 700×40c Puncture-resistant Tires
2. Velotric Discover 1
In comparison to the Aventon Soltera 2, the Velotric Discover 1 offers a more powerful motor, a safer battery, better water resistance, higher weight capacity, and a higher maximum range.
Key Features:
- UL 2271 Certified Battery
- 48V, 14.4Ah Samsung Cells
- 500W (900W Peak) Hub Motor
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- 7-speed Shimano Drivetrain
- Hydraulic Suspension Fork
- 65 Miles of Max Range
- 3A Fast Charging
- IPX6 Water Resistance
- 440 lbs of Weight Capacity
- 26″x2.5″ Puncture-resistant Tires
Recommended Accessories for Aventon Soltera
Alright. Let’s move to the first section of our Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 comparison.
Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1: Electrical Specs & Key Features
| Electrical Specs & KeyFeatures | Aventon Soltera 1 | Aventon Soltera.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | 36V, 350W | 36V, 350W |
| Top Speed | 20 MPH | 20 MPH |
| Battery | 36V, 9.6Ah Removable Battery | 36V, 9.6Ah Removable Battery |
| Range | Up to 41 Miles (Pedal Assist) | Up to 46 Miles (Pedal Assist) |
| Sensors | Cadence Sensor | Torque Sensor |
| Pedal Assist | 5 Levels | 4 Levels |
| Throttle Mode | Thumb Throttle | Thumb Throttle |
| App support | No | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4-5 hours | 4-5 hours |
| Charger | 36V, 2 amp | 36V, 2 Amp |
| Ebike Class | Class 2 | Class 2 |
| Headlight | Integrated Headlight | Integrated Headlight |
| Taillights | Integrated Rear Lights | Integrated Rear Lights with Turn Signals |
Torque Sensor:
Like other Aventon electric bikes released this year, Soltera.2 also has a Torque sensor. The original Soltera features a cadence sensor that counts the number of pedal rotations and allocates motor power accordingly.
A torque sensor, on the other hand, takes into account how hard you are pedaling and assists accordingly. This is a great feature in cruiser electric bikes and Aventon has taken the lead in this regard.
Previously, we have seen other Aventon ebikes like Pace 500.3, Aventure 2, Sinch 2, and Level 2 also featuring the same torque sensor. So, this is a unique selling point of all Aventon electric bikes and Soltera.2 is no different.
An Improved Range:
We will be discussing both types of ranges here. As far as the throttle-only range is concerned, there is no difference between these cruiser electric bikes. On the throttle mode, you can expect a range of 20 miles from both Soltera models.
In the pedal assist mode, Aventon Soltera.2 offers an average range of up to 46 miles, 5 miles more than Soltera 1. This improvement can be attributed to the addition of a Torque Sensor in the Soltera.2 ebike.
Turn Signals:
Aventon Soltera 2 features rear lights with turn signals, a feature missing in the previous Soltera variant. The turn signals are activated from the cockpit and blink for 10 seconds before switching off automatically.
This is a great feature to have in Soltera.2 when it comes to the overall safety of the riders.
The original Soltera ebike has integrated rear lights that do a decent job. Both Aventon Soltera.2 and Soltera 1 come with an integrated headlight to make sure you can ride in low-light conditions.
Same 350W Motor:
The motor is one of the features where Aventon Soltera.2 couldn’t impress us. The Aventon Soltera.2 comes with the same 16V, 350W motor that you see in the previous Soltera model.
So, these cruiser electric bikes won’t be able to help you much if you ride on a road with even a moderate slope. Many electric bikes in this price range feature a 500W motor so this is a bit disappointing from Aventon.
Both Aventon Soltera.2 and Soltera 1 are shipped as Class 2 ebikes so the max speed is limited to 20mph. You can’t expect more from a 350W motor either.
Display and App Support:
Aventon has included a Backlit LCD Display in the Soltera.2 as compared to a basic display in the previous model. This means you can connect your ebike to your smartphone and tweak the essential settings.
This is a useful update because the previous Soltera had a very basic display.
Battery & Charging:
There is no difference between the batteries of these electric bikes either. Both Soltera models come with the same 9.6 Ah battery which can be charged with a 2A charger.
We have seen Aventon include 3A fast chargers in the new electric bikes released this year. But Soltera.2 wasn’t lucky enough to get a 3A charger this year.
Maybe Aventon will consider these upgrades in the next model of Soltera. But for now, 2A is the best Soltera and Soltera.2 can offer you.
There is one last change in the new Soltera.2 electric bikes. Instead of the 5 levels of pedal assist that comes with the original Soltera, now you get 4 levels of pedal assist in the Soltera.2.
Alright. Let’s move on to the Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 design and see if there is any significant difference between the two cruiser electric bikes.
Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1: Dimensions, Design, & Weight Limits
| Dimensions, Design & Weight Limits | Aventon Soltera 1 | Aventon Soltera.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Step-Through Step Over | Step-Through Step Over |
| Color Options | Onyx Black Citrine Seafoam Green Moonrock Grey | Midnight Black Citrine Storm Blue Ghost White |
| Bike Weight | 43 lbs | 46 lbs |
| Max Payload Capacity | 300 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Rider Height (Step-over) | R: 5’3″ – 5’10” L: 5’10” – 6’4″ | R: 5’3″ – 5’10” L: 5’10” – 6’4″ |
| Rider Height (Step-through) | R: 4’11″ – 5’7″ L: 5’7″ – 6’1″ | R: 4’11″ – 5’7″ L: 5’7″ – 6’1″ |
| Min Seat Height | 865 mm | 865 mm |
| Max Seat Height | 1120 mm | 1120 mm |
Pretty Much the Same Frame:
Aventon Soltera. 2 comes with a Single-Butted Aluminum Alloy frame which is similar to the Double-Butted frame of the previous Soltera ebike. The cable management is great in both Soltera models.
The quality of welds and cable management in Aventon ebikes is far superior to other bikes on the market and Soltera 2 is no different.
Some New Colors:
Did we mention that Aventon takes special care of the appearance of its electric bikes? Well, the Aventon Soltera.2 comes with some flashy new colors.
The original Soltera 1 comes with Onyx Black, Citrine, Seafoam Green, and Moonrock Grey color options.
For the new Aventon Soltera.2, you can still get the Black and Citrine colors. Storm Blue and Ghost White are the new color options added to the Soltera 2.
Still Lightweight at 46 lbs:
One of the best things about the Aventon Soltera ebike is its weight. While the original Soltera 1 has a listed weight of 43 lbs, the new Soltera.2 weighs just a little more at 46 lbs. Still, it’s very light considering its solid frame and decent features.
Rider Height:
When it comes to recommended rider height, you won’t see any difference between these two cruiser ebikes. Since the frame hasn’t changed, the minimum and maximum saddle heights are also the same.
We have mentioned the recommended heights in the above comparison table and you can select either a step-through or step-over frame depending on your height and personal preference.
And the maximum payload capacity of Soltera.2 stands unchanged at 300 lbs.
Alright! Let’s move on to the Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 components comparison and see if there are any significant upgrades in this department.
Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1: Other Components
| Other Components | Aventon Soltera 1 | Aventon Soltera.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | Mechanical Disc Brakes 160mm rotors | Mechanical Disc Brakes 180mm rotors |
| Suspension | None | None |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano | Shimano |
| Shifter | 7 Speed | 7 Speed |
| Tires | 700c*35c Kenda | 700c*38c Kenda |
| Seatpost | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Rack | Not Included | Not Included |
| Fenders | Not Included | Not Included |
Still Lacks Suspension:
We talked about the lackluster motor earlier in the blog post. The second serious concern we have about both of these Aventon Soltera ebikes is the lack of suspension.
The Aventon Soltera.2 and Soltera 1 do not come with any sort of suspension at all. Since there is no front or rear suspension, you will feel every single bump on the road.
Yes, we understand that this is a cruiser electric bike and not meant for any sort of off-roading, but the front suspension can increase the overall comfort of the ride.
No Hydraulic Brakes:
Almost all of the other electric bikes released this year by Aventon feature hydraulic brakes. And that’s why we were expecting the Tektro hydraulic brakes in the new Aventon Soltera 2.
However, Aventon has decided to stick with the same mechanical disc brakes that come with the previous Soltera model. The Soltera.2 has 180mm rotors as compared to the 160mm rotors that are featured in the original Soltera.
Shimano Components:
Transmission is another area where Aventon always does a great job. Like the original Aventon Soltera, the new Soltera.2 also features a Shimano drivetrain.
The 7-speed shifter makes your rides even more convenient. Since this is supposed to be a budget ebike, these Shimano components perform exceptionally well.
No Racks or Fenders Included:
The fenders and rear rack are still behind a paywall if you get the new Aventon Soltera.2. The Soltera 1 also doesn’t come with any included fenders or rear rack.
So, you’ll have to spend around an extra $75 to $80 to get these essential accessories. From an affordability point of view, we believe Aventon should have included these essential components in the Soltera.
You also need to consider the fact that Aventon Soltera.2 is not a cheap ebike. After adding the cost of these essential components, the Soltera.2 would cost you only a few hundred dollars more than the Aventon Level 2.
We’ll delve further into why you should go for Level 2 instead of Soltera.2 in the next section of this Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 comparison.
Coming up is our final section of Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 comparison before we head to the conclusion.
Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1 & Others: Price Comparison
| Aventon Soltera 1 | Aventon Soltera.2 | Aventon Level 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ebike Cost | $1199 (350W) | $1399 (350W) | $1799 (500W) |
| Cost including fenders & rear rack | $1275 | $1475 | $1799 |
Let’s discuss the price difference between Aventon Soltera.2 and Soltera 1.
So, Aventon has listed the new Soltera.2 ebike for $1399, $200 more than the Soltera 1. If you add the costs of fenders and rear rack, you can get the Soltera.2 for $1475 and Soltera 1 for $1275.
Now compare this with the Aventon Level 2 which you can get for $1799. Remember that the Level 2 comes with a 500W motor, Torque Sensor, front suspension, 60-mile range, hydraulic disc brakes, 28 mph top speed, rear rack, and a set of fenders.
Aventon Soltera.2 vs Soltera 1: Our Verdict
When compared to Soltera 1, the Aventon Soltera.2 offers you a Torque Sensor, Turn Signals, and app support for just an extra $200.
So, we recommend that you choose the new Soltera.2 over the previous Soltera 1 model.
Does that make Aventon Soltera.2 a great value-for-money ebike? Unfortunately, no! As we have suggested in the price comparison section, there are other ebikes with better features in this price category.
If you don’t want to purchase an ebike from any other brand than Aventon, go for Aventon Level 2.
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